Due to the resignation of our Chairman Terry Steadman, Mr Gordon Bowers will now act as chairman of the club until the next AGM when the position can be voted on. We wish Terry all the best for the future, and hopefully will see him at a few trials this year.

31st July 2016

Please see extract taken from the Kennel Clubs Field Trial Newletter Summer 2016.

Guidance
on the procedure for judging the hunting ability of a Spaniel

There is a
concern, which has been raised by many experienced Spaniel handlers and judges, that the current approach to
judging the hunting ability of a Spaniel is often not being adapted to the
conditions on the day and does not appropriately reflect the natural instincts
of the dogs. Owing to this judging style, trials are now being won by dogs that
have been trained to virtually ignore the wind and hunt in an almost robotic
face wind pattern, being rigidly and purposely kept within only a few feet of the
handler. This technique makes the dog double and treble hunt its ground as it
has so little ground to work within. Loose game is often moved or flushed quite
close simply by the existence and pressure from the trial line; however,
handlers are expecting to be credited with a find for such a flush.

The
procedure for judging, as expected by the Regulations, requires that during a
trial Spaniels will, at all-times, cover sufficient ground with correct use of
the wind in order to find game on its beat. There are two aspects to this:

1. The dog,
within reason, should cover an adequate amount of ground within its two guns.
How much is adequate? Depending on terrain it would be reasonable to expect a
dog to cover a 10 to 15 yard beat on either side of the handler, comfortably
allowing any game flushed to be well within shotgun range. A dog should be
expected to work with minimum handler assistance (Regulation J(C).7 refers)
with the handler remaining more or less central between the guns and the dog
quartering and making good the ground on either side. Dogs are increasingly
being over assisted in this and led from one side of their beat to the other
with handlers doing almost as much quartering as their dog.

2. The dog should also work a wind in such a
manner that any game can be brought within scenting range (Regulation J(C).7
refers). A dog cannot scent game when hunting from an incorrect wind direction,
therefore, when working a back (following) wind a dog must pull out from its
handler and systematically work the ground back towards the handler. Pulling
out fifteen to twenty yards or so downwind of the handler would be an
acceptable distance. During this procedure the handler should stand still,
allowing the dog to work all the ground back to the handler. This also has the
benefit of trapping game between handler and dog, preventing game slipping away
which can happen in any type of cover. Guns that are not experienced at
shooting over Spaniels will often push on in these circumstances, therefore,
Judges should at all times be aware of wind direction and if necessary request
guns to stand still and allow the dog to work the ground correctly. Side and
quartering winds pose a slightly different problem as dogs will appear to hunt
at an angle to the handler. This again is the dog using the wind correctly but
is often incorrectly judged as the dog having a ragged or uneven pattern.

Malcolm
Taylor

16th June 2016

Still time to enter our water test and free barbecue which is on 17th July.

Trial dates can now be found on the Field trials page, schedules will be sent out shortly. PREFERENCE IN DRAWS TO FULLY PAID UP MEMBERS, please check your standing orders.

13th April 2016

The money raised from the raffle at this years Spring Working Test is being donated to the Stroke Association in memory of John Pay. The total amount raised was £129.50

5th April 2016

It is with regret and deep sadness that one of my first duties as Chairman is to report to you the death last night of our former Chairman, Mr John Pay. I'm sure you will join me in passing our condolences to his wife Sylvia.